How to Clean Up the Other on Xiaomi Mi 9: A Complete Guide with Proven Methods

The Other section in Xiaomi Mi 9 memory is one of the most mysterious categories for users, which can take from several hundred megabytes to tens of gigabytes, but does not give a clear idea of what files are stored there. Most often, this includes the cache of system applications, temporary update files, remnants of deleted programs and MIUI service data. If your smartphone has started to slow down and the free space is rapidly melting, the problem is likely to be here.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working ways to clean the Other section on Xiaomi Mi 9, including hidden settings, development commands and third-party utilities. It is important to understand that not all methods are equally safe: some can delete critical data if you act carelessly. So we will explain in detail which files can be deleted without risk and which are better left.

Before you start cleaning, check the current memory status: go to Settings → About Phone → Memory. If the Other partition takes up more than 5-7 GB, this is cause for concern. On the Xiaomi Mi 9 with a basic configuration (64/128 GB), this volume can seriously limit the installation of new applications and updates.

What is the Other in Xiaomi’s Memory and Why is it Growing?

In the MIUI operating system, the Other section is a kind of garbage box for files that do not fall into the standard categories (photos, videos, applications, etc.).

• 📁 Cache of system applications (e.g. com.android.systemui, com.miui.home).
• 🔄 Temporary update files (remain after patch installation) MIUI Android).
• 🗑️ Remnants of Remote Programs (Folders) /data/data/ and /data/app-lib/).
• 📄 Logs and dumps (files with the extension.log,.dumpstate – created when crashes).
• 🔒 Encrypted data (e.g. keys) DRM streaming).

On Xiaomi Mi. 9 This section often grows due to the nature of the work. MIUI 10–14. For example, after major updates (for example, with Android) 9 Android 10) The system may not delete old firmware files, leaving them in the folder /cache or /data/ota_package. Also to blame are Xiaomi’s pre-installed services, such as Mi Cloud, Security or Cleaner, which actively cache data in the background.

Another reason is memory fragmentation: Over time, the F2FS file system (used in Mi 9) accumulates broken links and empty blocks that appear as “Other,” especially if you frequently install and delete applications or download large files (such as games or movies).

⚠️ Note: Do not attempt to manually delete files from folders /system or /vendor — This can cause a device to fail completely, even with root rights, some actions require caution.

Method 1: Cleaning through the built-in Security app

The safest and easiest method is to use Xiaomi's standard Security app, which can analyze the "Other" section and suggest cleaning options. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Security app (the shield icon).
2. Go to the Cleaner (or Cleaner) tab.
3. Press Deep Clean (or Deep Clean).
4. Wait until the analysis is complete and select the Other (or Other) category.
5. Check the unnecessary files and click Clear.

In most cases, this method removes:

• 🗃️ Google Play Services and other system services.
• 📥 Temporary download files (folder) /download).
• 🔍 Error logs and crash reports (/data/anr, /data/tombstones).

However, this method has limitations:

• ❌ Does not clean up the remnants of remote applications.
• ❌ Does not delete update files MIUI.
• ❌ May miss large files in folders /data/media/0.

Method 2: Manual cleaning through /data (without root)

If the built-in cleaner doesn't work, you can manually delete some files through a guide with access to hidden folders, and any file application like Mi File Manager or Solid Explorer will do that. Importantly, not all folders can be cleaned without consequences!

Follow the instructions:

1. Open Mi File Manager and enable the display of hidden files (in settings).
2. Go to the root directory (/) and open the data folder.
3. Find and delete the contents of the following folders (if any):

After cleaning, restart your smartphone. If you notice lags or errors, restore deleted files from the backup (if you have one).

⚠️ Attention: Do not delete folders /data/app, /data/data or /data/system — This will lead to the removal of user applications and reset settings.

Delete content /data/local/tmp

Clear /data/log folder (except boot.log)

Remove old files from /data/ota_package

Check the /download folder for unnecessary files

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Method 3: Using ADB for deep cleaning

If previous methods have failed, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), a debugging tool that allows you to execute commands directly on the system, which is suitable for advanced users and requires connecting a smartphone to a computer.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ A computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and ADB.
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📱 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times to press to unlock the developer mode, then additionally → For developers → Debugging by USB).

After preparation, execute the following commands in the terminal (command line):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/local/tmp/*




rm -rf /data/log/*




rm -rf /data/ota_package/*




pm clear com.miui.cleanmaster #Cache cleaning standard cleaner




pm clear com.android.vending #Cleaning up Google Play cache




exit




exit

These commands delete:

• 🗑️ Temporary files from /data/local/tmp.
• 📜 Logs of the system /data/log.
• 🔄 Remains of updates from /data/ota_package.
• 🧹 Cache of Xiaomi and Google Play service apps.

If the “Other” section has not decreased after executing the commands, try to further clear the cache of all applications through Recovery:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press Power + Volume Up to Enter Recovery.
3. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
4. Confirm the action and restart the device.

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If after cleaning through ADB, the smartphone began to brake, follow the command adb shell sync to synchronize the file system.

Method 4: Resetting cache via Recovery (without data loss)

One of the most effective ways to clean the Other partition is to reset the cache via Recovery. Unlike a full reset (Wipe Data), this method does not delete user data, but clears the system cache, which often takes several gigabytes.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the Xiaomi Mi 9.
2. Press the Power and Volume buttons up, hold until the Mi Recovery logo appears.
3. Choose your language (if required).
4. Go to the Wipe & Reset menu.
5. Select Wipe Cache (not Wipe All Data!)
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
7. Reboot your smartphone (Reboot → System)

This procedure removes:

• 🔄 Cash Dalvik and ART (speed up the system).
• 📦 Temporary Update and Installer Files.
• 🗃️ Remnants of Remote Applications (Partially).

After you restart, check the Other section in your memory settings. Usually it decreases by 1-3 GB, but if the volume remains the same, the problem may lie in:

• 📁 Encrypted data (such as Widevine keys for Netflix or Disney)+).
• 🔒 Hidden sections (/misc, /persist), which are not cleaned by standard methods.

⚠️ Warning: If after resetting the cache, the smartphone is getting stuck on the boot (the Mi logo burns for more than 10 minutes), perform a forced reboot (Powering) + Volume down for 15 seconds.Relationally, flashing through the Fastboot may be necessary.

Method 5: Third-party utilities for deep cleaning

If standard methods don’t work, you can use third-party apps that can analyze the “Other” section in more detail.

We recommend starting with SD Maid:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start and give access to the memory.
3. Select the CorpseFinder tab (search for remnants of remote applications).
4. Press Run and wait for the analysis to be completed.
5. Delete the files found (usually folders in /data/data).

For deeper cleaning with root rights:

1. Install Root Explorer.
2. Go to /data and find folders called com.minus.name.packet (these are the remnants of remote applications).
3. Remove them manually.
4. Clear /cache and /data/local folders completely.

Warning: Some applications (like Clean Master or CCleaner) can delete critical files or show false "clogging" warnings. Avoid them - they often do more harm than good.

How to prevent re-clogging of memory

To prevent the “Other” section from growing again, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Clean the cache regularly through Settings → Annexes → Application management → Clean the cache (do it once every 1-2 weeks).
• 🚫 Avoid “cleaners” from third-party developers – they often delete the right files or cache data themselves.
• 📥 Delete. APK-files after installing applications (they remain in the folder) /download or /DCIM).
• 🔄 Turn off automatic app updates on Google Play (or limit it to Wi-Fi only).
• 📁 Use cloud storage (Mi Cloud, Google Drive) to back up photos and videos.
• 🔧 Update. MIUI Only through official channels (do not use custom firmware unless you are sure of their stability).

It is also useful to disable unnecessary system services:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find and disable the following apps: Mi Video (if you don’t use it) Mi Music Mi Browser Cleaner (if you use third-party utilities)

These measures will help reduce the volume of the Other section by 30-50% and prevent its rapid growth.

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Regularly cleaning the cache and disabling unnecessary system applications is the most reliable way to keep the Other section under control.

Frequent Questions (FAQ)